title: A macrophage and theca cell-enriched stromal cell population influences growth and survival of immature murine follicles in vitro.
abstract: Innovations in in vitro ovarian follicle culture have revolutionized the field of fertility preservation, but the successful culturing of isolated primary and small secondary follicles remains difficult. Herein, we describe a revised 3D culture system that uses a feeder layer of ovarian stromal cells to support early follicle development. This culture system allows significantly improved primary and early secondary follicle growth and survival. The stromal cells, consisting mostly of thecal cells and ovarian macrophages, recapitulate the in vivo conditions of these small follicles and increase the production of androgens and cytokines missing from stromal cell-free culture conditions. These results demonstrate that small follicles have a stage-specific reliance on the ovarian environment, and that growth and survival can be improved in vitro through a milieu created by pre-pubertal ovarian stromal cell co-culture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Institute for Women's Health Research, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E Superior Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Candace M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Tingen
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Kiesewetter
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jozefik
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tagler
authors.forename: Lonnie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shea
authors.forename: Teresa K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Woodruff
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003470:Culture Media / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D019899:Paracrine Communication; D010641:Phenotype; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013799:Theca Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D003470:Culture Media; D016207:Cytokines; D000735:Androstenedione; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone